AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good thing he did. I’ll have to thank him and make sure Star gets an extra treat.”
Star lifted his head and barked once, making both of us break out into laughter. I handed him the bag and he connected it to the tube then opened the Velcro.
“Unfortunately, to keep this draining and the sediment from flowing back in, I need you to either hold the bag or pull my pants down so I can attach it to my leg.”
“I’ll take the bag,” I said, holding it where he had been while he slid his trousers down. I handed it over and he connected the bag below his knee.
“Wow, all the way down there?” I asked in surprise.
“My thigh isn’t low enough. If I were staying in, I’d go to bed, but that’s out, so this will do. Besides, checking and emptying it is easier where it is.”
I washed my hands and then moved aside so he could do the same. Once he’d dried his, he took my hand and squeezed it. “Thanks for your help. You kept me calm and helped me think through everything logically.”
“I’m just glad the solution was an easy one.”
“Well, all the same, I know it’s awkward, and I—”
I brought my finger down on his lips until he hushed. “It wasn’t awkward, so don’t get all weird on me, Wallace, okay? When I’m uncomfortable doing something, I’ll tell you. This was not that.” I squeezed his hand again before he nodded and smiled, releasing my hand to turn his chair.
“Star, return,” he said, and the dog lumbered to his feet immediately and trotted to his side, where he got a thorough loving up while I found Irving’s wheelchair parka and prepared it on the bed. “Who’s a good boy?” I heard Irving say, and Star barked once. “Go tell Hazel you need a good boy treat!”
A ball of fur came whizzing over to me, stopping with one sharp bark at my feet. I gave him some love and one of those good boy treats while Irving prepared to move the party outside. Once he was dressed and ready to go, he got Star dressed in warm boots, and we headed out of the apartment.
“I’ll text Gabe and let him know we solved the issue,” I said. “I’ll also tell him you’ll be outside in case he needs you, but it looks like the traffic has slowed considerably.”
“Sure does, but most of the people seeking services got here earlier than we even planned to start, so I’m not surprised. Did the man of the hour show up?”
“Not as of thirty minutes ago when I came inside,” I answered and noticed his smile falter a bit. “But the other two holdouts did, so we hope they learn something here tonight that might sway them toward a different vote at the next meeting. We don’t need three votes. We don’t even need two. We only need one.”
“Good point,” he said with a head nod. “I’ll talk to them immediately when we go out. I don’t want them to think we’re ignoring them.”
“They don’t,” I promised, holding the door for him and Star. “I spoke with both of them and explained what you were doing. That held their interest as much as the event happening around them.”
“Really?” he asked, rolling out to the fire pit area where people laughed, chatted, and sipped at cups of coffee. “That’s good. I’m glad they can see that our outreach goes beyond New Beginnings.”
“Me too,” I said just as Mayor Tottle noticed us and motioned us over.
“Irving! Hazel! There’s someone I’d like you to meet!” he said over the crowd's din.
“Looks like break time is over,” I said with a wink. “Let’s work the room. You never know, maybe we’ll make that vote five to one in our favor this time around.”
Chapter Eleven
“Colder tonight than predicted,” Dawson said, rubbing his hands together. I edged closer to Irving to get his attention. Once I had it, I flicked my gaze to Dawson talking to Councilman Thompson. If we could stay where we were and look busy, we'd be able to hear their conversation.
“Seemed it happened overnight,” Henry said as he stood near the warming fire.
“Oh, I assure you,” Dawson said with a chuckle, “it’s been a noticeable decline, with every night dropping a few degrees more than the last. The snow yesterday didn’t help matters.”
“Glad we didn't get snow tonight,” Henry grumped. “I would be home where it’s warm if you know what I'm saying.”
“Can't say that I do,” Dawson answered. “My home is a tent or whatever shelter has a bed for the night. The shelter is warm, but the tent? Not so much.”
Startled, Henry looked Dawson up and down. “You live on the streets? Your jacket led me to believe you were a veteran.”
“I am,” Dawson said without bitterness. “First Lieutenant Dawson Knight.” He stuck his hand out to shake Henry's, and you couldn’t help but notice the two missing fingers on his right hand.
“Army? I guess that explains the—” Henry motioned at Dawson's hand and eye patch.
